Golden Fleece - Knights: Spanish Branch

Francisco V Fernández de la Cueva y Fernández de la Cueva, (Genoa, Italy, 17 November 1666 - Madrid, Spain, 28 June 1724) was 10th Duke of Alburquerque, Grandee of Spain, a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece since 1707, and viceroy of New Spain, Viceroy of Mexico, from 27 November 1702 to 14 January 1711.

He was the nephew of Francisco IV Fernández de la Cueva y Enríquez de Cabrera - Colonna, (* Barcelona, 1618/1619 - † Madrid, (Palacio Real) 27 March 1676), 8th Duque de Alburquerque and many other lesser titles, also a Viceroy of New Spain, (1653–1660), and Viceroy of Sicily, (1667–1670), and the son of the 9th Duke of Albuquerque, and many other lesser titles, the cadet brother of the 8th Duke, and inheritor of the titles, Melchor Fernández de la Cueva y Enríquez de Ribera-Colonna, (* Madrid, 2 March 1625 - † Madrid 12 October 1686).

His father, Melchor, the 9th Duke, had married in 1665 his niece Ana Rosolea Fernández de la Cueva y Díaz de Aux, , the 3rd marquise of Cadreita, Navarre, daughter of the 8th Duke of Albuquerque Francisco IV Fernández de la Cueva and Juana Francisca Díez de Aux y Armendáriz, herself daughter of Lope Díez de Armendáriz, Viceroy of Mexico (1635–1640).

This Spanish - Equatorian, Francisco Fernández de La Cueva y Fernandez de la Cueva, 10th Duke, was thus family connected through paternal and maternal links with 2 former Viceroys of New Spain, Viceroys of México, his uncle Francisco IV, the 8th Duke of Albuquerque and Lope Díez de Armendáriz.

His administration

Upon his arrival in Veracruz he was informed of the establishment there of a French trading post dealing in black slaves. The French had received a concession of ten years. The new viceroy gave his approval.

He arrived in Chapultepec in November, 1702 and made his formal entry into Mexico City on December 8, 1702. He was a fervent support of the Bourbon monarchy and of King Philip V of Spain, and he worked in New Spain to suppress any kind of discontent that could result in support for the Habsburg party.

This viceroy's administration was known for its luxury and magnificence. On January 6, 1703 the palace guards in the viceregal palace appeared in uniforms of the French mode for the first time, three-cornered hats and all. This attracted much attention, and fashions at the court and beyond quickly followed along the same lines. This was a fashion of luxury, starkly contrasted with the poverty of the majority of the people.

Marriage

He married in Madrid, 6 February 1684, 18 year old Juana de la Cerda y de Aragón-Moncada, (* Puerto de Santa María, 27 March 1664 - † Madrid 28] June 1724, a daughter of Juan Francisco II Tomás Lorenzo de la Cerda 8th Duke of Medinaceli, 8 Duke of Alcalá de los Gazules, a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and many other lesser titles.

Their first son, inheritor of the titles, was named Francisco VI Fernández de la Cueva y de las Cerda, (* Madrid 28 September 1692 - † Hortaleza, 23. June 1757), 11th Duke of Alburquerque and many other lesser titles , who married in 1734 Agustina Ramona de Silva y de los Ríos , a.k.a. María Agustina de Silva y Mendoza, deceased 10 years later, a daughter of Juan de Dios de Silva y Mendoza,(1672–1737), 10th Duque del Infantado, and Maria Teresa, a daughter of Francisco Domingo Gutiérrez de los Ríos, from Cordoba and Ambassador in France.